Ooops

March 22 2017
Had a busy morning, so didn't get out to check on the girls til about 2pm. Lots of activity outside of all but one hive. There was no sign of any life in front of  Hive 3. We had seen life last week, so what happened?
It was quite warm out so I decided around 3, I would go put pollen patties out in a couple of the hives today and do the other 2 tomorrow.
Since there had been no activity in front of Hive 3 it was first. I removed the winter roof, cover, attic box and inside cover and low and behold, there they were. They were feasting on the stored honey. All happy and content. Guess they would rather stay indoors then come out.  Weird.
So I put in a pollen patty and closed it back up. I completed the next hive (hive 4) also. And while adjusting the Styrofoam back around the hive bodies, I noticed that it had slipped down a bit and covered off the entrance of hive 3. Guess the wind must of moved it and blocked their door way, hence why they hadn't been outside for a few days.
I was so happy an hour later when I wandered over to see them again and they were all outside. Judging by the poop on my gloves and coat....they must of really had to go

March 14 2017
Well the winter is finally giving us a bit of a break. The mercury is above 0 now and today the bees were all out flying. It was great seeing all 4 hives made it through the long cold winter. I decided since it was mild this morning when we first got up, it might be a good day to see bees.
So I wandered out around noon. There was evidence of major housecleaning in hive #1. Lots of dead bees on the front porch, so I decided to pop off the entrance reducer and sweep out  the bottom board.
They instantly reminded me why I call them the cranky hive. Then I did the same to hive 2. I was kneeling on the ground and I guess one of the girls crawed up my boot and up my pant let. So my first sting of 2017 happened today.
I felt awful since these girls fought to survive the winter and had to die getting pinched in my pant leg.
Later this afternoon I wandered out several more time to watch them, and on the 3rd trip out, hive 4 (aka the swarm hive) was out flying. Yeah 3 out of 4.
About an hour ago I wandered out once again, this time lots of activity in front of hive 3 (aka the Nuc) So I feel pretty good.
So now to wait until it warms up so I can look inside and check the queens. But that will have to wait a few more weeks I think. As the weather is so unstable right now.
Anyways that's it for now.

Honey garlic pork ribs

Is there anything better than gooey sticky ribs. I don't think so. Here's a recipe that is both those things. And if you can make it with your own honey...that makes it even better.
Here is the recipe:

4 pounds of pork ribs
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoon soya sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon grown ginger
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Cut the ribs into whatever length you like, I normally cut them about 4 bones long. Then place all the ingredients into a large ziplok bag then add place ribs. Close the bag and mush the marinade all over the ribs, then put in the fridge overnight or at least a few hours.
Drain and reserve the sauce and place back into the fridge. Place the ribs on a greased baking pan.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours
Pour the reserved sauce over the ribs and leave uncovered and bake for about 45 more minutes. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Sorry I forgot to take a picture of them,

Is it spring yet?

Well we are barely half way thru January and I am itching to get started working with the bees again. But we are still months away. All I can do is prepare for spring by reading all I can on beekeeping.
I got thinking about feeding the bees first thing in the spring. Its important to give them Pollen Patties, whether it's real pollen or a pollen substitute. This helps stimulate the queen into start laying and gives them a jump start since its going to be another month or so yet until there is any pollen out there naturally.
Last year I decided to try making my own patties. I found a recipe and gave it a try. They turned out good.
Here is the recipe I used:

1 1/2 cups of soy flour

1 1/2 cups of white sugar

1/2 cup brewers yeast

1 1/2 cup sugar syrup (either 2:1 or 1:1) of you can use honey instead. I used the honey since I had some.

Mix the dry ingredients well, then add the syrup or honey. Mix until its almost like cookie dough. You may have to add a little more flour. Leave in a covered bowl over night.The next morning, put the dough on a piece of wax paper and cover with another sheet and roll out into a patty. You can either freeze it until you need it, or place it on top of the frames in the brood chamber.

Another alternative is to buy Bee Pro from Bee Maid Bee store and just mix it with a sugar syrup.
It really is a small price to pay to get your bees off to a good start in the spring.

Honey Graham Crackers

Happy New Year everyone.
So to welcome in the new year I am posting the third in my series of recipes using honey. This one is
Honey Graham Crackers. These ones are not as sweet as the store bought variety but they are equally as nummy.

2 cups of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup of white flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup of cool butter cut into pieces
1/4 cup honey

1. Place the flours, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and honey and pulse until the dough fully comes together in a ball. Shape the dough into 2 discs, wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours before rolling.
2. Pull the dough from the fridge 30 minutes before rolling. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line 2 or 3 baking trays with parchment. (I didn't do this)
3. On a lightly floured work surface, lightly knead the first disc of dough to soften it (so it wont crack when rolling out). Roll the dough out into a 12 x 12 inch square that is just under 1/4 in thick. Use a knife to trim the edges straight, then cut into 16 squares. Save scraps to roll out later. Place crackers on cookie sheet and dock with fork then bake for 12 -14 minutes (mine were thinner so I baked them for 10 mins) until the crackers begin to brown at the edges a little. Immediately remove the crackers onto a cooling rack.
Store in airtight container.

The last post.....(of 2016)

So this post is a recap of our 2016 beekeeping season. The trials and tribulations of a wannabee beekeeper.

Jan 2016
This was our first year wintering over bees. I have been like a over protective parent, worrying and hoping they are doing ok.
March 21 2016
Today the bees started bringing in pollen. Lots of activity. Holy moly this is so early. The winter wraps are still on, I think I will leave it on a little longer yet.
April 23
Dandelions are in full bloom. Lots of activity. Removed the winter wraps.
April 30
Removed any leftover winter honey. Lots of new uncapped honey already. New larvae. The bees wintered over great. Definitely will have to do a split.
May 15
Received the Nuc from Barry Clark, from the PG club. I left them in the nuc box over night but fed them syrup.
May 16
Put the nuc in their hive. Added second brood box on the big hive.
May 18
Did a big inspection on the big hive, didn't find any queen or swarm cells. Honey super was almost full. That's nuts. Will a second honey super on soon. Apparently because everything is so early this year, swarm season is early also. So near the end of May beginning of June. Lets hope they don't swarm before the new queens arrives from Rudi
Checked nuc, they are doing great, will check again in a week.
June 15th
Our beautiful Russian Queen arrived (her name is Queen Anna Pavlova) A fellow beekeeper (Mike) came over and help do the split since I had never done one before. He also received his new queens. In 3 days I will remove the lid off the queen cage.
June 24
Checked split, couldn't find the queen but did find new brood. Noticed a few bees with odd looking wings, I didn't want to take any chances so will treat with formic acid.
June 27
I ended up ordering mite away from Armstrong Apiary. Finally found the new Russian queen, she was very black with dark orange stripes. Wish I would of taken a picture of her.
July 5
Had a small swarm. I captured it and gave them a new home. I wrote about the swarm in one of my posts.
July 15
Treated with mite away. All hives
July 23
Checked swarm hive (hive 4). quite a bit of new larvae. Quite a bit of capped and uncapped honey.
July 26
Added honey super on the split hive. There is a total of 3 boxes. Big hive (4 boxes) Nuc (3 boxes) Swarm hive (2 boxes.
Also had to order more frames and foundation today...yikes where are they all going???
Aug 24
Put in syrup feeders on all hives. Hope to pull honey soon. It should of been done already but we have been soooooo busy at the motel, I haven't had the time.
Aug 30
Put sticky boards in hives to check for mites. I will treat where needed.
Sept 1
Finally got the big hive ready for winter. The bees are in one box now, with one full honey super on top.
Sept 2
Got the last 3 hives done. I put feeders in empty attic boxes and pollen patties. Will keep feeding them until the beginning of Oct, then pull them.
Oct 9
Remove feeders and put insulation in the attic boxes. Put winter wraps on the hives and say good night for the winter.

Things I learnt this year
Regardless how busy the Motel is.... REMOVE THE HONEY AT THE BEGINNING OF AUG WHILE ITS STILL HOT OUTSIDE.

Ok I promise this time....this really is the last post of 2016. Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

To get in the Christmas Mood, here's
a little song to send you into the holiday season.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Bee-utiful New Year